I know Mr. Riccardo personally (he's very good friends with my instructor) and he's legit. His JKD and Kali training is primarily from Mr. Ron Balicki, one of the top students/instructors under Guru Dan Inosanto. I don't know how long anyone has checked Mr. Riccardo's website, but he has some background information on his training on there now.

Hi, i know this is a crazy old thread. but for those looking for info on victory, i thought i might make a post here with my experiences.

victory is an okay school. the people there are freindly. but dont count on seeing dion himself there much if at all. he use to be around alot. but now he wants to just hang out at his home while his teachers make him money. which is fine i guess, if thats what you like.

dont count on getting instruction from dion though. and you will rarely get instruction from his "protege" anthony either. you will mostly get it from whoever they can find to teach.

Dion's credentials are good though. trained under dan inosanto, ron ballicki, paul vunak, fred degerberg. but now none of those teachers talk to him and they all know of him as a "jesus freak" and dont really want much to do with him.

if you want to train at victory expect to pay alot of money for classes as well. last i checked, $220 a month for 2 classes a week was the norm.

In response to Freepunch's post. Victory Martial Arts is an outstanding school. In terms of not being trained by Dion Riccardo--He has seminars that he teaches such as the JKD Bootcamp and other seminars that he host's during the year. So Dion still teaches. If you go to any school, most classes are taught by Instructors. The owner is suppose to train his students to come up and teach. that is how you build a legacy. If you want the martial arts to continue, you must leave your talent and gifts with your students.

Also, for the Victory's two classes per week of $220- NOT TRUE! There was not even a high rate like that at any time. An average cost now is $99-$159 depending on what program you sign up for.

And last point, Freepunch stated that Dion stays at home while his teachers make money for him. Dion teaches 4 times a week @ the Victory School in Orland park. And when he is not teaching he is working on developing better Staff, Instructors and overall he works on how to make the academy better.

So I do not know where freepunch was going with what he was saying. The statements he made where very inaccurate.

But in conclusion, check out Victory for yourself. I been to other schools but the Instructor's at Victory have HEART, DEDICATION and LOYALTY.

TOP! I have trained, albeit minimally, @ VMA. Great bunch of people, great instruction, and no ego on the mats. Great place overall, and if anyone goes there tell Mike P. that 4Mello says hi. Thanks in advance.